New NH Drinking Water Rules Proposed For PFAS Chemicals

MERRIMACK, NH — New Hampshire environmental officials on Wednesday announced a set of proposed drinking water rules after elevated chemical levels were found in public water supplies in Merrimack, Portsmouth and Bedford — among other towns. The rules are meant to restrict the amount of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) discharged into such water supplies. PFAS are categorized as a possible carcinogen that could be especially harmful to children and pregnant women.

The proposed rules would set a limit on PFAS for drinking water to "ensure greater protection of public health," the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services said in a statement.

In 2014, elevated levels of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) were found in a well at the Pease Tradeport in Portsmouth. The well was shut down. Elevated levels of perfluorooctanoic acid were also found in public water supplies in Merrimack and Bedford near the Saint-Gobain plastics plant.

The proposed PFAS limits can be found below. Environmental services said the limits were based on "the most recent and best science available."

• Perfluorooctanoic acid: 38 parts per trillion
• PFOS: 70 ppt
• PFOA & PFOS (combined): 70 ppt
• Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid: 85 ppt
• Perfluorononanoic acid: 23 ppt

Read more:

• NH Environmental Services Proposes New PFAS Drinking Water Standards

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